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The Shenyang J-15 (simplified Chinese: 歼-15; traditional Chinese: 殲-15) is an advanced carrier-based, twin-engine fourth/four-point-five-generation multirole fighter jet being developed by the Shenyang Aerospace Corporation specifically for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF). It was reversed-engineered from the T-10K-3, a Su-33 (navalized Su-27) prototype purchased from Ukraine in 2001, and further developed to use indigenous technologies from the J-11B program.
The J-15 conducted its first takeoff from a simulated ski-jump on land on May 7, 2010. On November 25, 2012, the aircraft successfully performed its first takeoff and landing on Liaoning, China's first operational aircraft carrier. It entered mass production in December 2013. The J-15 is viewed as an interim carrier-based fighter until a fifth-generation successor enters service, one that may be based on the Chengdu Chengdu j-20 or Shenyang Shenyang j-31.
The J-15 features a internal 30mm cannon and 12 external hardpoints which can mount the PL-8 and PL-10 infrared-homing air-to-air missiles, the PL-12 and PL-15 active-radar air-to-air missiles, the YJ-38 anti-ship missile, the KD-88 air-to-ground missile, the YJ-91 anti-radar missile, a variety of bombs, rockets, and the UPAZ-1A buddy refueling pod. A two-seater variant used for electronic warfare exists. Starting from the J-15B it was upgraded with CATOBAR launch capability, AESA radar, and stealth coatings. As of 2023, at least 60 airframes have been produced.
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